Webinar Series

Heart & Diabetes

2022

10 min read

HGF Nursing Team

Understanding how diabetes affects your health, the link between diabetes and heart disease, and how to reduce your risk.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to rise too high. More than 30 million Americans have diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes.

Your body makes and uses insulin to keep blood sugar in the normal range. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it efficiently.

Types of Diabetes

• Type 1: Your body produces little to no insulin
• Type 2: Your body produces insulin but does not use it well or make enough
• Gestational: Your body cannot make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy

The Link to Heart Disease

• People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease
• Unmanaged diabetes can damage blood vessels
• Damaged vessels are more prone to injury from high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and plaque build-up
• Plaque can clog arteries, leading to heart attack, stroke, or heart failure

Healthcare Tips

• Talk to your provider about reducing risk for heart disease and stroke
• Follow a heart-healthy diet
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Be physically active and don't smoke
• Manage stress properly
• Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight
• Take medications as prescribed

"Make sure you eat before going to a grocery store. Don't be hungry when you're there because you will have the nice candy bars at the register." Velma Glover, RN